Christine Lagarde

Today's pop quiz involves oxymorons, those often amusing contradictory two-word expressions like jumbo shrimp, amicable divorce and Fox News. OK, which of the following oxymorons has gained favor within the higher ranks of finance and politics: a) moderated democracy, b) humanitarian intervention, c) benevolent despot, d) inclusive capitalism, e) compassionate conservatism? If you guessed d), inclusive capitalism, you're correct. Sadly, the laugh-out-loud, beyond-satire nature of this new buzz phrase is totally lost on those disseminating it with a straight face. This was the case last May when 250 of the world's titans of finance and business attended a by-invitation-only...

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